Fly trap and a bait therefor

ABSTRACT

A fly trap includes a cylindrical side wall made of a mesh material; a bottom wall located proximate (i.e., “at or near”) the bottom end of the side wall; a top wall located proximate the top end of the side wall; a conical entry conduit extending from proximate the bottom wall and providing an entry path to the interior chamber of the fly trap; and a lure holding device for holding a fly lure composition beneath the bottom opening of the entry conduit. The entry conduit may include an extending flange member that forms at least a portion of the bottom wall of the trap. Preferably, the top wall and/or some other part of the fly trap includes a light reflecting device, such as a prism or reflector, to help attract attention to the trap in the daylight. Also, to help attract attention to the trap at night, one or more surfaces may be coated with or constructed from a material that glows in the dark (e.g., a powder containing a commercially available phosphorescent material). The lure holding device may contain a suitable fly lure composition, such as one containing about 0.5-3% dried animal blood, wherein the dried animal blood is dried in such a manner that proteins contained therein are not denatured and amino acids contained therein remain intact, and about 0.1-5% sweet brewer&#39;s yeast (all percentages are weight percentages based on the entire weight of the composition).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to insect traps, and more particularly to a trapthat is designed to trap flies and a lure for the trap.

It has been long known that flies are not only annoying insects, butalso harmful to humans, because they carry various and numerouspathogenic germs, and their larvae can cause intestinal problems. As aresult, it is desirable to destroy flies not only in one's home, butalso in such commercial and public areas as food markets, restaurants,and the like.

Numerous different devices have been proposed for attracting anddestroying flies. Some of the known devices comprise a tape with anadhesive coating that is suspended or laid flat on a surface, so as tocause flies to land on the adhesive surface and adhere to it.

Other devices propose the use of fly traps that have containmentchambers, wherein a liquified bait is deposited. The bait attracts theflies to enter the chamber, wherein they will drown in the aqueous bait.

Similarly, much research has been conducted in an effort to formulate alure for attracting flies. Unfortunately, such lures often containpesticides that are unsafe for humans and domestic animals.

One improved fly trap device and a bait for the trap is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,243,781 to Danny B. Carter, which patent is entirelyincorporated herein by reference. The present invention provides variouschanges and/or improvements to the Carter fly trap device and baitdescribed in this previous patent. Like the previous Carter fly trapdevice and bait, the present fly trap device and bait are advantageousbecause they are safe for the environment and contain no toxicsubstances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVETION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fly trapfor controlling disease carrying insects. It is a further object of thepresent invention to provide a fly trap that is simple to use andinexpensive to manufacture. It is still a further object of the presentinvention to provide a lure to be used with a fly trap for attractingflies. A still further object of the present invention is to provide afly trap and lure that are non-toxic and environmentally safe.

In one embodiment, this invention relates to a fly trap, comprising: acylindrical side wall made of a mesh material, wherein the side wallincludes a bottom end and a top end; a bottom wall located directly ator near (i.e., “proximate”) the bottom end of the side wall; a top walllocated proximate the top end of the side wall, wherein the top wallincludes a light reflecting device, and wherein the side wall, bottomwall, and top wall define an interior chamber of the fly trap that isadapted to receive and retain flies; an entry conduit extending from thebottom wall and providing an entry path to the interior chamber of thefly trap, the entry conduit having a bottom opening defined therein anda top opening defined therein that is smaller than the bottom opening;and a lure holding device for holding a fly lure composition beneath thebottom opening of the entry conduit.

In another embodiment, this invention relates to a fly trap, comprising:a cylindrical side wall made of a mesh material, wherein the side wallincludes a bottom end and a top end; a bottom wall located proximate thebottom end of the side wall, a top wall located proximate the top end ofthe side wall, wherein the side wall, bottom wall, and top wall definean interior chamber of the fly trap that is adapted to receive andretain flies; an entry conduit extending from the bottom wall andproviding an entry path to the interior chamber of the fly trap, theentry conduit having a bottom opening defined therein and a top openingdefined therein that is smaller than the bottom opening; and a lureholding device for holding a fly lure composition beneath the bottomopening or bottom entry port of the entry conduit, wherein at least oneof the side wall, bottom wall, top wall, entry conduit, or lure holdingdevice is coated with a material that glows in the dark. Preferably,most or all of the surfaces of the fly trap are coated with a materialthat glows in the dark (e.g., a phosphorescent powder).

Another advantageous aspect of the fly trap according to the inventionincludes the use of a plurality of leg members extending below thebottom wall to support the side wall, bottom wall, and top wall of thetrap. These leg members may include means to secure the leg member to asurface on which the fly trap is supported (e.g., holes to receive abolt, screw, spike, or other securing device; clamping devices; claspingdevices; cleats; ties; etc.). Preferably, each leg member includes asurface support portion for contacting a surface on which the fly trapis supported, wherein the surface support portion extends outside acylinder defined by extending the side wall to the surface on which thefly trap is supported.

Another advantageous feature of the invention includes providing abracket member extending from each leg member for supporting the lureholding device above the support surface and immediately below thebottom opening or bottom entry port of the entry conduit.

Alternatively, instead of supporting the fly trap on the ground usingleg members, the trap also can be hung at a suitable location using ahandle member provided at or near the top wall.

Another advantageous feature of the invention, which simplifies thestructure and the manufacturing procedure, relates to the use of anintegral, unitary construction for the entry conduit and at least aportion of the bottom wall. This can be accomplished, for example, ifthe entry conduit is formed with a flange that extends outward from thebottom opening or entry port, and this flange forms at least a portionof the bottom wall of the trap. Preferably, both the entry conduit andthe flange are made of a mesh material (preferably the same meshmaterial that makes up the cylindrical side wall), and, in this manner,at least a portion of the bottom wall is made from the mesh material.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a new lure compositionfor a fly trap (also called a “bait mixture” or “dried bait mixture” inthis specification). In general, the fly trap lure composition accordingto this aspect of the invention includes about 0.5-3% dried animalblood, wherein the dried animal blood is dried in such a manner thatproteins contained therein are not denatured and amino acids containedtherein remain intact; and about 0.1-5% sweet brewer's yeast, whereinall percentages are weight percentages based on the entire weight of thecomposition. A more detailed embodiment of a preferred lure compositioncomprises the following ingredients: 5-30% sucrose; 5-30% sodiumcarbonate; 20-50% bicarbonate of soda; 0.25-5% urea; 0.1-5% sweetbrewer's yeast; 0.25-5% active dry yeast; 0.25-5% dried animal blood,0.25-5% isoamyl acetate; 0.25-5% sodium lactate; and 10-50% water,wherein all percentages are percent by weight based on the total weightof the composition. As noted above, the dried animal blood in thiscomposition may be dried in such a manner that proteins containedtherein are not denatured and amino acids contained therein remainintact. Even more preferably, the fly lure composition comprises thefollowing: about 12-16% sucrose; about 12-16% sodium carbonate; about34-42% bicarbonate of soda; about 0.5-3% urea; about 0.25-2% sweetbrewer's yeast; about 0.5-3% active dry yeast; about 0.5-3% dried animalblood (dried in the manner described above); about 0.5-3% isoamylacetate; about 0.5-3% sodium lactate; and the balance water, wherein allpercentages are percent by weight based on the total weight of thecomposition. This lure composition is advantageous because it attractsboth male and female flies to the trap (the females being drawn by theprotein containing dried blood ingredient).

Alternatively, the above-ingredients, excluding water, can be thoroughlyadmixed together and then water may be added at the time the admixtureis used as a lure, to activate the lure composition. When making the dryadmixture noted above, the lure material according to the presentinvention comprises the following ingredients: 10-30% sucrose; 10-30%sodium carbonate; 30-70% bicarbonate of soda; 0.25-5% urea; 0.1-5% sweetbrewer's yeast; 0.25-5% active dry yeast; 0.25-5% dried animal blood;0.25-5% isoarnyl acetate; and 0.25-5% sodium lactate, wherein allpercentages are percent by weight. Again, the dried animal blood used inthis composition may be dried in such a manner that proteins containedtherein are not denatured and amino acids contained therein remainintact. Preferably, this dry fly lure composition comprises thefollowing: about 15-25% sucrose; about 15-25% sodium carbonate; about40-60% bicarbonate of soda; about 0.5-3% urea; about 0.25-2% sweetbrewer's yeast; about 0.5-3% active dry yeast; about 0.5-3% dried animalblood (dried in the manner described above); about 0.5-3% isoamylacetate; and about 0.5-3% sodium lactate, wherein all percentages arepercent by weight.

The bait mixture is non-toxic, contains no pesticides and, when mixedwith a small amount of water to form a viscous composition, exudes astrong attractant odor to attract flies in a predetermined control area.

After consuming a small amount of the bait, the flies fly upwardlythrough the entry conduit and are entrapped within the interior chamberof the fly trap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood when considered inconjunction with the following detailed description and the attacheddrawings. In the drawings and throughout this application, like partsare designated by like reference numerals. The drawings are brieflydescribed as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fly trap according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a blank for forming a conical entryconduit for use in a fly trap according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view of the fully formed entry conduit;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a fly trap according to the inventionillustrating the junction of the leg member with the side wall;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating top and bottom ring members used in a flytrap device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the top wall of a fly trap deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the prism or reflectorarea integrally formed in the top wall in one embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of the prism or reflector areaof the top wall shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in detail, numeral 10 generally designates afly trap device in accordance with the present invention. The fly trap10 includes a screen mesh cylindrical side wall 12, which may be formedin any suitable shape, such as circular (as illustrated), square, orother polygonal shapes. The screen mesh may comprise a metal or plasticmesh having about 18 mesh per square inch. In the illustratedembodiment, the side wall 12 is a circular cylindrical wire mesh about12 inches high and about 11⅞ inches in diameter. It is constructed froma single rectangular piece of cold galvanized wire mesh, formed in acircular configuration and stapled or otherwise secured together. Forappearance purposes, the staple line or other junction that joins thetwo ends of the wire mesh can be hidden behind one of the legs of thetrap 10. This aspect of the device will be discussed in more detailbelow.

A bottom wall 14 is located at or near the bottom end of the side wall12, and a top wall 16 is located at or near the top end of the side wall12. The bottom wall 14 can be made of any suitable material, butpreferably it is made from the same type screen mesh as that which makesup the side wall 12. The top wall 16 also can be made of any suitablematerial. In the illustrated embodiment, the top wall 16 is made from aclear or translucent plastic acrylic, about 12 inches in diameter andabout ½ inch thick, and it has a series of small prisms or othersuitable reflecting devices 18 integrally formed therein. As used inthis specification, the term “light reflecting device” includes prismsand any other suitable light reflectors. The prisms or reflectors 18reflect sunlight and help draw attention to the fly trap 10 duringdaylight hours. Of course, without departing from the invention, prismsor other light reflecting devices could be provided on other surfaces ofthe fly trap 10. A preferred embodiment of the top wall 16 will bedescribed in more detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 6-8.

The top wall 16 is secured over the top end of the cylindrical wall 12.The top end of the cylindrical wall 12 is held within a top ring member20, preferably made of metal, but any other suitable constructionmaterial will suffice (because the top wall 16 typically is made of aclear plastic, the top ring 20 can be seen through the top wall 16 inFIG. 1). The top ring member 20 also is illustrated in FIG. 5. In theillustrated embodiment, the top ring member 20 has an outside diameterof about 12 inches, and the side walls thereof 22 are about 1 inch high.A ½ inch lip 24 is formed around the top perimeter of the top ring 20such that the top end of the cylindrical wall 12 securely fits withinand is held between the side walls 22 and the lip 24. The top ring 20includes a plurality of screw or bolt holes 26 so that the ring 20 canbe mounted to the remainder of the fly trap structure. Additionally, ifdesired, the top wall 16 can be secured to the top ring 20 in anysuitable manner, for example, by adhesive or by providing key hole cuts80 in the top wall 16 that attach to keys (or projections) 82 providedon the outside of wall 22 of the top ring 20. While only one key holecut 80 and key 82 combination is shown in the figures, those skilled inthe art will recognize that any suitable number of key holes and keyscan be provided without departing from the invention.

A bottom ring 28, preferably of the same general construction as the topring 20, is used to hold the bottom wall 14 in place and to hold thebottom end of the side wall 12. An interior chamber 30 is definedbetween the side wall 12, the bottom wall 14, and the top wall 16, whichare held together by the rings 20 and 28. In the illustrated embodiment,the bottom ring 28 does not include key projections 82 as found on thetop ring 20.

The fly trap 10 includes an entry conduit 32 that allows the flies toenter the interior chamber 30 of the fly trap 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the entry conduit 32 is conical shaped and made of the samewire mesh that makes up the side wall 12 and bottom wall 14 of the flytrap 10. The lower entry port 34 of the entry conduit 32, located at ornear the bottom wall 14 of the fly trap 10, is larger than the upperentry port 36 of the entry conduit 32, located above the lower entryport 34.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the bottomwall 14 of the fly trap 10 and the entry conduit 32 are formed as anintegral unit. This can be accomplished as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Toform the entry conduit 32, a flat entry conduit screen blank 38, asshown in FIG. 2, is prepared. The opposite side surfaces 40 and 42 ofthe flat blank 38 are brought together to form the conical shape asshown in FIG. 3. The opposite side surfaces 40 and 42 may be fixedtogether by any suitable means, such as staples 44, welding, or thelike.

In forming the entry conduit 32, a flattened lip or flange 46 is formedaround the outer circumference of the lower entry port 34. This flange46 forms at least a portion of (and preferably all or essentially allof) the bottom wall 14 of the fly trap 10. The blank 38 is dimensionedsuch that the outer diameter of the flange 46 fits within and isretained by the lip of the bottom ring member 28. In one embodiment, theouter diameter of the flange 46 is about 12 inches, and the diameter ofthe lower entry port 34 is about 11 inches (which corresponds to a ½inch flange 46 around the outside of the entry conduit 34). Also, inthis embodiment, the upper entry port 36 is about ¾ inch in diameter,and the overall height of the formed entry conduit 32 is about 10inches.

Different devices may be used to hold the fly trap 10 at the locationwhere the flies are to be controlled. One such device is a handle member48. Using the handle member 48, the fly trap 10 can be hung at anydesired location. The handle member 48 also can be used for carrying thefly trap 10 from place to place. It can be made of any suitable material(e.g., metal or plastic), and it can be attached at the top of the flytrap 10 (e.g., to the top wall 16 or the leg members 50) in any suitablemanner, such as in the conventional manners that bucket handles areattached to buckets. Any suitable device for hanging the trap 10 can beused without departing from the invention.

The fly trap 10 also can be supported directly on the ground or othergenerally horizontal surface S by a plurality of legs 50. In theillustrated embodiment, three legs 50 are provided, although anysuitable number of legs may be used without departing from theinvention. The illustrated leg members 50 extend the entire length ofthe side wall 12 and below the bottom wall 14 to the surface S on whichthe fly trap is supported. Each leg member 50 includes a surface supportportion 52 for contacting the surface S on which the fly trap issupported This surface support portion 52 extends outside of a cylinderdefined by extending the side wall 12 to the surface S on which the flytrap 10 is held to thereby provide a stable base to support the trap 10.

Each leg member 50 includes a means for securing the leg member 50 tothe surface S on which the fly trap 10 is supported. In the illustratedembodiment, this means for securing includes a hole 54 provided in thesurface support portion 52. Screws, bolts, or spikes (not shown) can beused to securely fix the leg members 50 to support surface S throughthese holes 54. Any other suitable securing means can be used withoutdeparting from the invention, such as latch mechanisms, cable ties,clamping devices, clasping devices, cleats, ties, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the leg members 50 extend essentially theentire length of the fly trap 10 and are secured to the top wall 16, thetop ring 20, and the bottom ring 28 using screws, bolts, or anothersuitable attachment means. Advantageously, the leg members 50 also areattached to the side wall 12. This can be accomplished, for example, asshown in FIG. 4, by fixing the side wall 12 between the leg member 50and an inner insert member 60. The overall combination of the leg member50, side wall 12, and inner insert member 60 can be held together in anysuitable manner, such as a bolt, screw, rivet, or other attachmentdevice 62, as shown in FIG. 4, or by welding, soldering, or the like.FIG. 4 also illustrates the staples 64 that may be used to hold the twoends of the screen mesh together that form the side wall 12. Asmentioned above, this line of staples 64 advantageously can be hiddenbetween one of the leg members 50 and the corresponding inner insertmember 60.

The fly trap 10 according to the invention further includes a lureholding pan 66 that holds a suitable lure composition. Because flieshave a tendency to fly directly upward after feeding, this lure holdingpan 66 is provided directly beneath the lower entry port 34 of the entryconduit 32. While the lure holding pan 66 may be placed directly on thesupport surface S, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, thelure holding pan 66 is suspended above the support surface S on bracketmembers 68 that extend from each leg member 50. The bracket members 68may be attached to the leg members 50 by any suitable method, such asspot welding, bolts, screws, rivets, etc. Using the illustratedarrangement, the lure holding pan 66 can be supported approximately aninch or two below the lower entry port 34 of the entry conduit 32.

The lure holding pan 66 can be held by the brackets 68 in any suitablemanner. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the lure holding pan 66may include a lip 70 that rests on the brackets 68 by gravity. Asanother alternative, the brackets 68 may include raised bosses at theirends that fit into corresponding notches or recesses formed in the lureholding pan 66 (e.g., notches or recesses formed on the bottom side oflip 70 or on the bottom surface 72 of the lure holding pan 66).

The fly trap 10 preferably is constructed of materials having a colorthat attracts flies (e.g., white). As noted above, the top wall 16contains at least one prism or other light reflector 18 that is usefulto attract attention to the fly trap 10 in daylight, and likewise, othersurfaces also may include prisms or other light reflecting devices (inthe illustrated embodiment, several small prisms 18 are integrallyformed in the central area of the top wall 16). Additionally, to helpattract attention to the fly trap 10 at night, preferably at least oneof the side wall 12, the bottom wall 14, the top wall 16, the top ring20, the bottom ring 28, the entry conduit 32, the leg members 50, thebrackets 68, or the lure holding device 66 is coated with a materialthat glows in the dark (e.g., a conventional, commercially availablephosphor coating material that glows for about 2-4 hours after darknessfalls). Preferably, many or all of these surfaces of the fly trap 10 arecoated with this glow in the dark material.

A preferred embodiment of the top wall 16 is illustrated in more detailin FIGS. 6-8. This top wall 16 is formed as a lid that fits over andsecures to the top ring 20, as described above, via key projections 82provided on the outer wall 22 of the top ring 20 that fit into key holes80 provided in the top wall 16. Preferably, the top wall 16 is injectionmolded from a clear or translucent plastic material (e.g., an acrylicmaterial or a polycarbonite plastic with a UV inhibitor therein) withsmall UV reflectors (or prisms) 18 integrally formed therein.

The prism area of the top wall 16 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 7 and8. FIG. 7 includes an enlarged view of region A from FIG. 6, and FIG. 8shows a cross sectional view of FIG. 7, taken across the center of onerow of prisms. As shown in these figures, the top surface 84 of top wall16 is generally smooth, and the bottom surface 86 has a series of raisedpyramids 88 formed therein. The pyramids 88 have a larger, generallysquare bottom opening 90 and a smaller, generally square top surface 92with angled walls 94 extending between these surfaces. These pyramids 88act as prisms that reflect and refract light, generally attractingattention to the top wall 16 of the fly trap 10.

The lure holding pan 66 is adapted to receive a lure compositiontherein. While any suitable bait or lure composition can be used, in apreferred embodiment of the invention, the lure composition isnon-toxic, contains no pesticides that may be harmful to humans ordomestic animals, and can be easily stored for a number of months in adry condition. In a preferred embodiment, the lure composition comprisesabout 0.5-3% dried animal blood (e.g., bovine, horse, avian, etc.),wherein the dried animal blood is dried in such a manner (e.g., via coldspray drying) that proteins contained therein are not denatured andamino acids contained therein remain intact; and 0.1-5% sweet brewer'syeast (which masks the smell of the blood), wherein all percentages areweight percentages based on the entire weight of the composition. Thisprotein containing dried blood material is useful to attract femaleflies to the trap. Suitable cold spray dried blood materials for use inthe lure composition according to the invention can be obtained fromCalifornia Spray Dry Company.

A lure material according to the present invention comprises thefollowing ingredients: 5-30% sucrose; 5-30% sodium carbonate; 20-50%bicarbonate of soda; 0.25-5% urea; 0.1-5% sweet brewer's yeast; 0.25-5%active dry yeast; 0.25-5% dried animal blood; 0.25-5% isoamyl acetate;0.25-5% sodium lactate; and 10-50% water, wherein all percentages arepercent by weight. The dried animal blood used in this composition maybe dried in such a manner that proteins contained therein are notdenatured and amino acids contained therein remain intact, as describedabove. Preferably, the fly lure composition comprises the following:about 12-16% sucrose; about 12-16% sodium carbonate; about 34-42%bicarbonate of soda; about 0.5-3% urea; about 0.25-2% sweet brewer'syeast; about 0.5-3% active dry yeast; about 0.5-3% dried animal blood(dried in the manner described above); about 0.5-3% isoamyl acetate;about 0.5-3% sodium lactate; and the balance water, wherein allpercentages are percent by weight.

One particularly preferred fly lure composition includes 300 parts(about 14%) sucrose; 300 parts (about 14%) sodium carbonate; 800 parts(about 38%) bicarbonate of soda; 20 parts (about 1%) urea; 12 parts(about 0.6%) sweet brewer's yeast; 24 parts (about 1%) active dry yeast;20 parts (about 1%) dried animal blood, wherein the dried animal bloodis dried in such a manner that proteins contained therein are notdenatured and amino acids contained therein remain intact; 20 parts(about 1%) isoamyl acetate; 25 parts (about 1%) sodium lactate; and 600parts (about 28%, and the balance) water, wherein all percentages arepercent by weight and all parts are parts by weight. These ingredientsare mixed together and then dried to produce a dry mixture of the lurecomposition.

Alternatively, the above-ingredients, excluding water, can be thoroughlyadmixed together and then water may be added at the time the admixtureis placed in the lure holding pan 66, to activate the lure composition.When making the dry admixture noted above, the lure material accordingto the present invention comprises the following ingredients: 10-30%sucrose; 10-30% sodium carbonate; 30-70% bicarbonate of soda; 0.25-5%urea; 0.1-5% sweet brewer's yeast; 0.25-5% active dry yeast; 0.25-5%dried animal blood; 0.25-5% isoamyl acetate; and 0.25-5% sodium lactate,wherein all percentages are percent by weight. Again, the dried animalblood used in this composition may be dried in such a manner thatproteins contained therein are not denatured and amino acids containedtherein remain intact. Preferably, this dry fly lure compositioncomprises the following: about 15-25% sucrose; about 15-25% sodiumcarbonate; about 40-60% bicarbonate of soda; about 0.5-3% urea; about0.25-2% sweet brewer's yeast; about 0.5-3% active dry yeast; about0.5-3% dried animal blood (dried in the manner described above); about0.5-3% isoamyl acetate; and about 0.5-3% sodium lactate, wherein allpercentages are percent by weight.

One particularly preferred dry fly lure composition includes 300 parts(about 20%) sucrose; 300 parts (about 20%) sodium carbonate; 800 parts(about 53%) bicarbonate of soda; 20 parts (about 1.3%) urea; 12 parts(about 0.8%) sweet brewer's yeast; 24 parts (about 1.6%) active dryyeast; 20 parts (about 1.3%) dried animal blood, wherein the driedanimal blood is dried in such a manner that proteins contained thereinare not denatured and amino acids contained therein remain intact; 20parts (about 1.3%) isoamyl acetate; and 25 parts (about 1.6%) sodiumlactate, wherein all percentages are percent by weight and all parts areparts by weight. These ingredients are dry mixed together to form anadmixture of the lure composition.

The dry mixture can be stored in an original package for an indefiniteperiod of time and activated upon demand (by adding water). Whennecessary, a package containing, for example, 6 ounces of the drymixture is emptied into the lure holding pan 66 and is thoroughly mixedwith a small amount of water sufficient to form a viscous substance. Theyeast causes activation and release of the attractant odor, attractingthe flies to the lure holding pan 66. The mixture in the pan 66, if itdries out, can be reactivated by adding small amounts of water to keepthe mixture in a relatively wet condition. The amount of dry mixture inthe container, approximately 6 ounces, may last between 3 to 6 weeks,depending on the number of flies in the area and the humidity of theenvironment.

The lure holding pan 66 can be disposable or reusable, depending on themanner in which the lure composition is available. For example, if thelure composition is available directly in a suitable lure holding pan66, then it is advantageous to produce the lure holding pan 66 from aninexpensive, disposable material. On the other hand, if the lurecomposition is available separately (e.g., in larger quantities), then astronger, long lasting, and reusable lure holding pan 66 can beprovided.

The use of the invention will now be described. When loaded with a baitcomposition like those described above, flies are attracted to the lurepan 66 of the fly trap 10. Once there, they eat some of the bait.Because flies naturally tend to fly upward after consuming food, theentry conduit 32 of the fly trap 10 according to the invention guidesthe flies upward and causes the flies to be entrapped within theinterior chamber 30 of the trap 10.

In operation, the fly trap 10 according to the invention is positionedon a generally horizontal surface S, e.g., directly on the ground, on apedestal or other support surface, at a distance of approximately 50feet from the fly infested area to be controlled. Alternatively, the flytrap 10 can be hung from an appropriate support using the handle 48.When exposed to sunlight, the prism or reflecting device(s) 18 on thetrap 10 attracts the attention of flies, and/or at night, the glowingphosphorescent coating helps draw attention to the trap 10.Additionally, the smell of the lure composition provided in the lureholding pan 66 helps attract flies. Once they eat, the flies tend to flystraight upward and are guided into and retained in the interior chamber30 of the trap 10 via the entry conduit 32.

The side wall(s) 12, bottom wall 14, and entry conduit 32 of the presentinvention can be constructed from metal or plastic mesh material, thetop wall 16 can be constructed from a clear or translucent plastic, suchas plastic acrylic, polycarbonite, etc., and other elements of the trap10 can be made of plastic or metal, as desired. The fly trap 10 of thepresent invention can find utilization in such areas as farms, grocerystores, waste disposal plants, land fields, hospitals, nursing homes,camp grounds, parks, zoos, etc.

Many changes and modifications can be made within the design of the flytrap device without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fly trap, comprising: a side wall made of amesh material, wherein the side wall includes a bottom end and a topend; a bottom wall located proximate the bottom end of the side wall; atop wall located proximate the top end of the side wall, wherein the topwall includes a light reflecting device comprised of a plurality ofraised projections extending off the top wall that reflect and refractlight passing therethrough, and wherein the side wall, bottom wall, andtop wall define an interior chamber of the fly trap that is adapted toreceive and retain flies; an entry conduit extending from proximate thebottom wall and providing an entry path to the interior chamber of thefly trap, the entry conduit having a bottom opening defined therein anda top opening defined therein that is smaller than the bottom opening;and a lure holding device for holding a fly lure composition beneath thebottom opening of the entry conduit, and wherein at least the side walland entry conduit include a material that is phosphorescent.
 2. A flytrap according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of legmembers extending below the bottom wall to support the side wall, bottomwall, and top wall.
 3. A fly trap according to claim 2, wherein the legmembers include means to secure the leg member to a surface on which thefly trap is supported.
 4. A fly trap according to claim 2, wherein eachof the leg members includes a surface support portion for contacting asurface on which the fly trap is supported, wherein the surface supportportion extends outside a periphery defined by extending the side wallto the surface.
 5. A fly trap according to claim 2, further comprising abracket member extending from each leg member for supporting the lureholding device.
 6. A fly trap according to claim 5, wherein the bracketmembers support the lure holding device at a level above a surface onwhich the fly trap is supported.
 7. A fly trap according to claim 1,further comprising a handle member connected proximate the top wall. 8.A fly trap according to claim 1, wherein the entry conduit includes, aspart of a monolithic, unitary entry conduit, a flange extending outwardfrom the bottom opening, wherein this flange forms at least a portion ofthe bottom wall.
 9. A fly trap according to claim 8, wherein the entryconduit and flange are both made of a mesh material.
 10. A fly trapaccording to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall is made of a meshmaterial.
 11. A fly trap according to claim 1, wherein the entry conduitis made of a mesh material.
 12. A fly trap according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a fly lure composition in the lure holding device, whereinthe fly lure composition includes 5-30% sucrose; 5-30% sodium carbonate;20-50% bicarbonate of soda; 0.25-5% urea; 0.1-5% sweet brewer's yeast;0.25-5% active dry yeast; 0.25-5% dried animal blood; 0.25-5% isoamylacetate; 0.25-5% sodium lactate; and 10-50% water, wherein allpercentages are percent by weight based on the entire weight of thecomposition.
 13. A fly trap according to claim 12, wherein the driedanimal blood in the fly lure composition is dried in such a manner thatproteins contained therein are not denatured and amino acids containedtherein remain intact.
 14. A fly trap according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a fly lure composition in the lure holding device, whereinthe fly lure composition includes about 12-16% sucrose; about 12-16%sodium carbonate; about 34-42% bicarbonate of soda; about 0.5-3% urea;about 0.25-2% sweet brewer's yeast; about 0.5-3% active dry yeast; about0.5-3% dried animal blood, wherein the dried animal blood is dried insuch a manner that proteins contained therein are not denatured andamino acids contained therein remain intact; about 0.5-3% isoamylacetate; about 0.5-3% sodium lactate; and the balance water, wherein allpercentages are percent by weight based on the entire weight of thecomposition.
 15. A fly trap according to claim 1, further comprising: afly lure composition in the lure holding device, wherein the fly lurecomposition includes about 0.5-3% dried animal blood, wherein the driedanimal blood is dried in such a manner that proteins contained thereinare not denatured and amino acids contained therein remain intact; andabout 0.1-5% sweet brewer's yeast, wherein all percentages are weightpercentages based on the entire weight of the composition.
 16. A flytrap, comprising: a side wall made of a mesh material, wherein the sidewall includes a bottom end and a top end; a bottom wall locatedproximate the bottom end of the side wall; a top wall located proximatethe top end of the side wall, wherein the side wall, bottom wall, andtop wall define an interior chamber of the fly trap that is adapted toreceive and retain flies; an entry conduit extending from proximate thebottom wall and providing an entry path to the interior chamber of thefly trap, the entry conduit having a bottom opening defined therein anda top opening defined therein that is smaller than the bottom opening;and a lure holding device for holding a fly lure composition beneath thebottom opening of the entry conduit, wherein at least one of the sidewall, bottom wall, top wall, entry conduit, or lure holding deviceincludes a material that is phosphorescent, and wherein said fly trapfurther comprises a sunlight reflecting device comprised of a pluralityof multi-sided prismatic projections.
 17. A fly trap according to claim16, wherein the a light reflecting device, includes light reflectorprisms integral with the top wall.
 18. A fly trap, comprising: a sidewall made of a mesh material, wherein the side wall includes a bottomend and a top end; a bottom wall located proximate the bottom end of theside wall; a top wall located proximate the top end of the side wall,wherein the side wall, bottom wall, and top wall define an interiorchamber of the fly trap that is adapted to receive and retain flies; anentry conduit extending from proximate the bottom wall and providing anentry path to the interior chamber of the fly trap, the entry conduithaving a bottom opening defined therein and a top opening definedtherein that is smaller than the bottom opening; and a lure holdingdevice for holding a fly lure composition beneath the bottom opening ofthe entry conduit, wherein at least one of the side wall, bottom wall,top wall, entry conduit, or lure holding device includes a material thatglows in the dark, and wherein said fly trap further comprises asunlight reflecting device positioned and designed to reflect sunlightincident on said fly trap, and wherein said top wall includes a topsurface and a bottom surface and said light reflecting device includesprism shaped projections extending off said bottom surface.
 19. A flytrap according to claim 16, further comprising leg members which includemeans to secure the leg member to a surface on which the fly trap issupported.
 20. A fly trap according to claim 19, wherein each of the legmembers includes a surface support portion for contacting a surface onwhich the fly trap is supported, wherein the surface support portionextends outside a cylinder defined by extending the side wall to thesurface.
 21. A fly trap according to claim 19, further comprising abracket member extending from each leg member for supporting the lureholding device.
 22. A fly trap according to claim 21, wherein thebracket members support the lure holding device at a level above asurface on which the fly trap is supported.
 23. A fly trap according toclaim 16, further comprising a handle member connected proximate the topwall.
 24. A fly trap according to claim 16, wherein the entry conduitincludes a flange, as part of a monolithic, unitary entry conduit,extending outward from the bottom opening, wherein this flange forms atleast a portion of the bottom wall.
 25. A fly trap according to claim24, wherein the entry conduit and flange are both made of a meshmaterial.
 26. A fly trap according to claim 16, wherein the bottom wallis made of a mesh material.
 27. A fly trap according to claim 16,wherein the entry conduit is made of a mesh material.
 28. A fly trapaccording to claim 16, further comprising: a fly lure composition in thelure holding device, wherein the fly lure composition includes 5-30%sucrose; 5-30% sodium carbonate; 20-50% bicarbonate of soda; 0.25-5%urea; 0.1-5% sweet brewer's yeast; 0.25-5% active dry yeast; 0.25-5%dried animal blood; 0.25-5% isoamyl acetate; 0.25-5% sodium lactate; and10-50% water, wherein all percentages are percent by weight based on theentire weight of the composition.
 29. A fly trap according to claim 28,wherein the dried animal blood in the fly lure composition is dried insuch a manner that proteins contained therein are not denatured andamino acids contained therein remain intact.
 30. A fly trap according toclaim 16, further comprising: a fly lure composition in the lure holdingdevice, wherein the fly lure composition includes about 12-16% sucrose;about 12-16% sodium carbonate; about 34-42% bicarbonate of soda; about0.5-3% urea; about 0.25-2% sweet brewer's yeast; about 0.5-3% active dryyeast; about 0.5-3% dried animal blood, wherein the dried animal bloodis dried in such a manner that proteins contained therein are notdenatured and amino acids contained therein remain intact; about 0.5-3%isoamyl acetate; about 0.5-3% sodium lactate; and the balance water,wherein all percentages are percent by weight based on the entire weightof the composition.
 31. A fly trap according to claim 16, furthercomprising: a fly lure composition in the lure holding device, whereinthe fly lure composition includes about 0.5-3% dried animal blood,wherein the dried animal blood is dried in such a manner that proteinscontained therein are not denatured and amino acids contained thereinremain intact; and about 0.1-5% sweet brewer's yeast, wherein allpercentages are weight percentages based on the entire weight of thecomposition.
 32. The fly trap of claim 17, wherein said entry conduitincludes the material that is phosphorescent as well as at least one ofthe side wall, bottom wall, top wall or lure holding device.
 33. A flytrap, comprising: a side wall made of a mesh material, wherein the sidewall includes a bottom end and a top end; a bottom wall locatedproximate the bottom end of the side wall; a top wall located proximatethe top end of the side wall, wherein the top wall includes a lightreflecting device comprised of a plurality of multi-sided raisedprojections extending off the top wall that reflect and refract lightpassing therethrough, and wherein the side wall, bottom wall, and topwall define an interior chamber of the fly trap that is adapted toreceive and retain flies; an entry conduit extending from proximate thebottom wall and providing an entry path to the interior chamber of thefly trap, the entry conduit having a bottom opening defined therein anda top opening defined therein that is smaller than the bottom opening;and a lure holding device for holding a fly lure composition beneath thebottom opening of the entry conduit.
 34. The trap of claim 33, whereinat least one of the side wall and entry conduit include a material thatis phosphorescent.
 35. The trap of claim 34, wherein both the sides walland entry conduit include a material that is phosphorescent.
 36. Thetrap of claim 34, wherein said multi-side walls extend down into theinterior chamber.